Ch. 401What It Feels Like to Be Loved

Ross returned to the palace and reunited with Reiju, Rouge, and the children. Rouge reflected on how Ross’s care made her feel loved, unlike Roger, whose careless boasting had nearly cost her and her unborn child their lives.

  • Stella followed Ross into the palace after dismissing the maids, whose hopes she believed would go unfulfilled.
  • Reiju ran to Ross and leaped into his arms, telling him she had missed him.
  • Ross saw Rouge with Sanji while Ace played nearby, and noticed how much Rouge’s appearance had changed.
  • Rouge greeted Ross warmly and remembered how he listened to her and valued the small details of her life.
  • Rouge contrasted Ross’s affection with Roger’s self-centeredness and recalled that Roger’s boast to Garp had exposed her and her child to danger.

Ch. 402I Think I Really Was a Little Tired

Ross spent the morning playing with the children before asking Rouge to guide their early education and help them stay calm and optimistic. He gave her the Book-Book Fruit to aid her teaching, then arranged for Stella to take the children away so he could spend the afternoon alone with Rouge.

  • Ross played with Rouge, Ace, Sanji, and the other children for most of the morning.
  • Ross told Rouge that guiding the children was an important task and encouraged her to teach them composure and emotional control.
  • Ross gave Rouge the Book-Book Fruit and explained that its illusory worlds could help with education.
  • Ross suggested Rouge consult Sola about combining their fruit abilities.
  • Ross asked Stella to take the children elsewhere, then told Rouge she needed an afternoon nap and drew her close.

Ch. 403The Meaning of Living Lies Only in History

Robin confronted Olvia about her research in Wano and learned that the country had been destroyed after Oden Kozuki misjudged the World Government’s response. Olvia revealed that about four million people had died and the survivors had been scattered among Allied Nations, leaving Wano’s civilization at risk of disappearing.

  • Robin visited Olvia’s palace and challenged her about its comforts and her past choices.
  • Robin asked Olvia what she had learned in Wano, suspecting that Olvia had translated the Poneglyphs without withholding details.
  • Olvia explained that one Poneglyph was a Road Poneglyph and others described Joy Boy’s connection to Wano and the Kozuki Family.
  • Robin was shocked to learn that Wano had been destroyed, and Olvia blamed Oden Kozuki’s misjudgment of the World Government’s retaliation.
  • Olvia reported that around four million of Wano’s five million people had died and that the surviving million had been resettled across Allied Nations, threatening Wano’s civilization with extinction within a century.

Ch. 404What She Actually Knew

Olvia told Robin that she no longer considered Ohara’s pursuit of the blank century worthwhile, since her time with Saint Ross had achieved more than decades of research. She revealed that only three people in the World Government could read the Poneglyphs, and Robin was left suspecting Ross had kept them because of Olvia.

  • Olvia said that, from the perspective of world history, the deaths at Ohara and the fall of Wano were insignificant, and Robin angrily rejected her view.
  • Olvia argued that historians should assess circumstances and record history rather than become trapped in conflict, while Robin defended Ohara’s scholars and their work.
  • Olvia said her two years with Saint Ross had produced more results than Ohara’s decades of research, but Robin pointed out that Ohara’s efforts had enabled her to read the Poneglyphs.
  • Olvia revealed that only three people in the World Government could read the Poneglyphs: the person on the throne, Sola, and Ross.
  • Robin refused to believe Ross could read the Poneglyphs and wondered why he had kept her and Olvia; Olvia suggested he might have kept them for a reason connected to her.

Ch. 405Witness and Recorder

Olvia decided to record Ross’s actions as present-day history, believing he would eventually reveal the true history to her. Ross explained to Gion that Olvia understood his tampering with the Poneglyphs and had agreed to document his rise, while Robin remained unsettled by Olvia’s revelations.

  • Robin left Olvia’s palace, unable to accept what Olvia had told her and determined to verify it herself.
  • Olvia wrote in her notebook that Ross might have secretly altered the Poneglyphs, then resolved to record his deeds as history unfolded.
  • Gion returned to Ross’s palace and told him that Olvia had persuaded Robin to stop questioning her.
  • Ross and Gion discussed how Olvia had inferred that he altered the Poneglyphs and why she continued recording his actions.
  • Ross told Gion that Olvia would document his history in return for learning the true history once he reached the summit.

Ch. 406Family Banquet

Ross welcomed Queen Titi, Vivi, and Conia to the Holy Land, publicly adopting Vivi and arranging for them to stay in a palace. At a family banquet, he surveyed the strength of his assembled allies and concluded that his faction was nearing the World Government’s highest level of power.

  • Ross greeted Didi and her daughter at the harbor, lifted Vivi from Didi’s arms, and announced that he was adopting her.
  • Ross brought Didi, Vivi, and Conia to the Jaygarcia Family palace, where he reassured Didi and welcomed Conia’s affection.
  • Sola welcomed Didi and Conia, and Ross hosted a banquet for his key allies in the Holy Land.
  • Ross reviewed the people and factions represented at the banquet and noted that his side had eight top-tier fighters and substantial political influence.

Ch. 407Threatening Lives Was Not the Best Solution

At Ross’s banquet, Sola introduced Kaido as the Employment Association’s new dispute resolver and explained how incentives had increased production in the Kingdom of Goa and the Land of Wano. Kaido questioned the results and began doubting the oppressive methods he had used to manage workers.

  • Sola hosted Ross’s banquet and introduced Kaido as the person who would handle Employment Association disputes.
  • Saint Saturn asked Ross how far he intended to expand the Employment Association, and Ross said it aimed to motivate ordinary people and give them opportunities.
  • Sola cited increased industrial output, agricultural land, and food production in the Kingdom of Goa under the association’s system.
  • Sola explained that workers in the Land of Wano received bonuses for mining Seastone beyond a daily quota, raising their average output from ten to seventeen cubic units.
  • Kaido compared the incentive system with his own use of whippings and realized that paying workers could be more profitable than threatening them.

Ch. 408I Can't Create My Own, But I Can Copy

Sola explained how the Employment Association used rewards and voluntary work to improve productivity and win public support, while Sakazuki described adopting its system for the Marines. As the Reverie approached, the group discussed growing resistance from affiliated nations, and Didi warned that the Association’s coercive nature was making rulers uneasy.

  • Sola outlined the Seastone miners’ rewards, including expert guidance and a rare chance to receive a Zoan Devil Fruit, while Otohime praised the system’s motivating effects.
  • Kaido recognized that the rewards could drive miners to compete, and Sola and Sakazuki confirmed that qualified workers could join the Marines and recruits would mine Seastone for three months.
  • Sakazuki explained that the Marines received a share of Seastone profits and that Sola had helped him adapt Ross’s management plans for the Marines.
  • Saint Maz asked whether the Employment Association would dominate the upcoming Reverie, and Sola said nobles from at least a hundred affiliated nations had objected to its effect on their authority.
  • Vanessa proposed killing the dissenting nobles, but Didi argued that the Association’s coercive nature was increasing affiliated nations’ unease even as it raised their income.

Ch. 409A Despairing Gap

At Ross’s banquet, Scarlet explained how the Employment Association gained influence, leaving Moi despairing over the Revolutionary Army’s lack of political and governing ability. Meanwhile, the NEO Marines recruited in the Blues, and Saint Gringu explained that the Figarland Family was being maneuvered into testing the Jaygarcia Family’s strength.

  • Scarlet explained that the Employment Association expanded through royal-family members who wanted to become World Nobles or admired the Celestial Dragons, and that its authority had grown to rival Allied Nations’ rulers.
  • Moi listened to the gathering’s political discussion and concluded that the Revolutionary Army lacked the vision and ability to govern liberated regions.
  • The NEO Marines recruited soldiers in the North Blue and West Blue, accepting that training might not overcome every recruit’s motives.
  • Figarland hosted representatives of other Celestial Dragon families, who cooperated outwardly while hoping to weaken and eventually swallow the Figarland Family.
  • Saint Gringu told Shamrock that Saint Nusjuro and the other families wanted the Figarland Family to test Ross, so he planned to let the Allied Nations face the Jaygarcia Family instead.

Ch. 410Grand Opening

The Reverie opened in Holy Land Mariejois with a worldwide live broadcast intended to restore the World Government’s prestige after the Holy Land Incident. Olvia introduced Fleet Admiral Sakazuki and then Alabasta’s Regent Didi as the first delegate, leaving viewers stunned by Alabasta’s royal family’s history as founders of the World Government.

  • The World Government opened the Reverie to reporters and live broadcasts across the world to display the rebuilt Holy Land and reaffirm its authority.
  • Olvia introduced Fleet Admiral Sakazuki and described his history and absolute justice, winning most viewers’ approval despite criticism of his willingness to sacrifice hostages.
  • The broadcast’s ceremonial music gave way to an Alabasta desert melody, prompting celebrations among Alabastans who heard their nation’s music lead the procession.
  • Didi arrived at the red carpet as Alabasta’s first delegate and greeted the live camera.
  • Olvia explained that Alabasta’s Nefelt family had been among the World Government’s founders but had declined to become Celestial Dragons, surprising viewers and Alabastans alike.

Ch. 411The Celestial Dragons' Supreme Power

As the kings of the affiliated nations and the Celestial Dragons entered the World Government building, the broadcast presented their power and status to viewers across the world. The Jaygarcia Family appeared last, with Ross making a divine entrance that left viewers prostrated before their screens.

  • Olvia introduced the fifty monarchs as they entered the World Government building, then announced the Celestial Dragon arrivals as the music shifted to a sacred melody.
  • Palace Vanessa entered without a carriage, followed by three Celestial Dragon families and the Five Elders Saint Maz, Saint Maz, and Nusjuro Saint.
  • Saint Gringu waited outside the entrance and grew uneasy because his Observation Haki could not locate Saint Saturn or Ross.
  • Olvia announced Jaygarcia Saturn Saint, who appeared amid black smoke, and then introduced Jaygarcia Ross Saint as the head of the Jaygarcia Family.
  • Ross appeared amid the roar of ocean waves and a dazzling light, causing viewers around the world to prostrate themselves before the broadcast.

Ch. 412I'll concede defeat this time

Ross arrived at the World Government building and forced Saint Saturn and Saint Gringu to bow before him on a live broadcast, making the world see him as the new supreme authority. At Whitebeard’s base, Teach rallied the crew to survive by acting like pirates rather than confronting the World Government head-on.

  • Ross descended before the watching world as Saint Saturn knelt and prostrated himself in welcome.
  • Sakazuki bowed to Ross and followed him as an escort, while Saint Gringu tried to turn away from the cameras.
  • Ross’s Conqueror’s Haki froze Saint Gringu, and a touch on his shoulder forced him onto one knee; Saint Gringu accepted defeat but vowed to wait for an opening.
  • Viewers across the world saw Ross enter the World Government building, and many regarded him as the occupant of the vacant throne.
  • At Whitebeard’s base, Marco asked whether they still had a chance, and Whitebeard admitted that Ross’s strength surpassed Rocks’s.
  • Teach urged the Whitebeard Pirates to avoid a direct fight and use their strengths as pirates, restoring Whitebeard’s confidence.

Ch. 413Reverie Hosted by Ross

Ross took control of the 197th Reverie and laid out plans to address the World Government’s political, military, economic, cultural, resource, and technological issues. He began with a proposal to establish six special administrative zones, and the chapter ended with Otohime asking where they would be located.

  • Ross entered the Reverie as the kings, Celestial Dragon family heads, and Five Elders watched him with fear and reverence.
  • Ross took Saint Saturn’s host seat, while Saturn moved to the Jaygarcia Family’s seat, and Sola connected representatives of allied nations to the meeting by video.
  • Ross opened the 197th Reverie, outlined six categories for discussion, and said the Five Elders would privately mediate disputes between nations.
  • Ross proposed establishing six World Government administrative zones across the Four Blues and the Grand Line.
  • Otohime asked Ross where the special zones would be established.

Ch. 414Better to Offer a Little Profit Than Die for Nothing

Ross announced the locations of the World Government’s five special zones and outlined a new political structure, promising that illegal territories would gradually be absorbed into member nations. The kings accepted the plan and awaited details about the special zones’ positions and powers.

  • Ross confirmed the South Blue Special Zone at the former Lanka Kingdom, the Paradise Special Administrative Region in Alabasta, and the New World Special Zone in the former Land of Wano.
  • King Ramen proposed Ohara for the West Blue Special Zone, and Ross secured the West Blue kings’ approval.
  • The East Blue chose Loguetown and the North Blue chose Suya Island as their special zones.
  • Ross said the World Government would establish six special zones, with each except the New World zone governing fifty member nations.
  • Ross told the kings that seventy more member nations would be selected within ten years and that remaining illegal territories would gradually be incorporated into member nations.

Ch. 415Ten-Tier Classification

Ross outlined a ten-tier hierarchy for rebuilding the World Government and set promotion requirements for its departments. He named the first ministers and left three posts and other appointments for the Five Elders to decide later.

  • Ross announced that the World Government would be reorganized into six major departments and six special zones, with authority divided into ten tiers.
  • Ross said promotions to senior Marine and department positions would require experience serving in the Four Blues, while he would not interfere with the Allied Nations or decide the Five Elders' future composition.
  • Nusjuro asked who would lead the six departments, and Ross named Sola as Minister of Science and Kong as Minister of Military Affairs.
  • Ross appointed himself Minister of Farming, and Saint Maz and the other Five Elders agreed.
  • Ross left the Environment and Resources, Finance, and Legal Affairs ministerial posts, along with other departmental appointments, for a later internal meeting of the Five Elders.

Ch. 416What Is Given to You Is Yours

Ross outlined reforms that would place the Allied Nations’ armies under the World Government, provoking fierce opposition from their kings. He ended by warning that refusal would carry a price and introducing a stricter tax system enforced through inspections and coercion.

  • Ross announced that the Military Affairs Department, the Navy, and the Knights of God would become the World Government’s three military pillars, while CP and Impel Down would fall under Military Affairs.
  • King Berg asked how the reforms would affect the Allied Nations, and Ross declared that their armies would be disbanded and incorporated into the World Government.
  • Nearly half the kings objected, but Ross silenced the hall with Conqueror’s Haki and said the army transfer was a World Government notice, not a proposal.
  • Ramen asked what would happen if the kings refused, and Ross said they would have to bear the price of resistance.
  • Ross announced that the Celestial Gold system would be replaced by income-based taxation, with CP inspections and severe consequences for tax evasion.

Ch. 417A Bunch of Cowards with No Courage

Ross demanded control of the member nations’ armies or a steep additional levy, then persuaded every nation to agree by promising lower expenses and greater security. The nations’ compliance left Ross waiting to see what schemes they would devise under his new policies.

  • Ross told Ramen that nations keeping their armies would owe ten times the previous per-capita Celestial Gold amount, calculated according to army size, and Ramen accepted on behalf of Kano Country.
  • Several kings considered disguising their armies as pirates after seeing that Kano Country’s Eight Treasure Navy could not be taxed as an official army.
  • Riku King asked what benefits nations would receive by placing their armies under the Military Affairs Department, and Ross promised the World Government would cover expenses and reward exceptional soldiers with promotions.
  • Didi announced that Alabasta would hand over its military authority, prompting the other member nations to agree as Sola consulted the kings attending remotely.
  • Saint Gringu doubted the transferred armies would be useful, while Ross privately welcomed the chance to watch the nations develop new schemes and regretted that nobody dared resist him.

Ch. 418Why Did Your Highness Blow Yourself Up?

Ross completed his objectives at the World Conference and opened the floor for requests, where King Perth asked the World Government to help Flevance amid a deadly illness outbreak. Ross revealed that Platinum Lead Ore was toxic and exposed the century-long cover-up, leaving Perth stunned as his royal family’s secret bargain with the World Government came under threat.

  • Ross explained that the Allied Nations had accepted his proposals for sharing cultural and technological information and routing resource trade through the Employment Association.
  • Ross opened the free discussion period, and King Perth asked the World Government to help Flevance develop a cure for its outbreak.
  • Ross recognized that Flevance’s illness was caused by toxic Platinum Lead Ore, whose dangers the World Government and Flevance’s royal family had concealed.
  • Ross asked Perth whether Platinum Lead Ore was toxic, and Perth denied it while realizing Ross knew about the secret.
  • Perth recalled that the World Government had promised his family World Noble status in exchange for concealing the ore’s toxicity, with a written promise signed by a former Five Elder of the Jaygarcia Family.

Ch. 419You're Not in a Hurry, but I Am

Ross questioned King Perth about Flevance’s Platinum Lead Ore and announced that his chief physician would investigate whether it caused a contagious disease. He ordered Zephyr to bring Perth’s queen and princess to the Jaygarcia Family for their Lead Bone Ornaments to be tested, leaving Perth panicked as Saint Gringu’s attempt to delay the matter failed.

  • Ross said he would send his chief physician to Flevance to examine the illness and Platinum Lead Ore.
  • Cain VII said Flevance’s people had become much paler over the years, and Perth admitted that his people wore Lead Bone Ornaments because they believed the ore whitened skin.
  • Ross challenged Perth to show his ornaments and then demanded that Perth’s queen and princess produce theirs for testing.
  • Saint Gringu tried to postpone the investigation, but Ross ordered Zephyr to bring Perth’s family to the Jaygarcia Family.
  • Perth stood and shouted for Zephyr to stop, fearing what would happen to his queen and princess.

Ch. 420Likely to End Badly

At the Reverie, Saint Gringu intervened when Ross refused to help King Perth, arranging for Shamrock to accompany Perth’s queen and princesses and document their visit. After the first day ended, Ross learned that the women showed no signs of Lead Bone Disease and that Shamrock had found suspiciously crude Platinum Lead Ore ornaments, leaving Perth’s family in danger of Ross’s scrutiny.

  • Zephyr left after condemning Perth for hiding Flevance’s Platinum Lead Ore danger from his citizens, while the other rulers watched with wary mockery.
  • Perth begged Saint Gringu and Saint Nusjuro for help, and Saint Nusjuro silently condemned him while Saint Gringu calmed him and arranged for Shamrock to accompany the women.
  • Saint Gringu contacted Shamrock in front of the assembly, and the other rulers avoided raising significant issues while Ross presided over mediation.
  • The first day of the Reverie ended, and Ross left the conference room before the other attendees.
  • Sola showed Ross footage of Perth’s queen and princesses arriving at the Jaygarcia Family estate and reported that their examinations showed no signs of disease.
  • Sola told Ross that Shamrock had found a crude bracelet made mostly of platinum ore in the queen’s jewelry box, and Ross watched with amusement.
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